Gladys Amfobea celebrates her game-winner over Germany. (Photo: FIFA)
Ghana, Italy and Venezuela have all advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after victories on Tuesday.
Italy’s 1-0 win over Costa Rica eliminates the host nation from contention for the knockout stage. Gloria Marinelli’s 19th minute wonder-volley of a goal (click here for highlights) was enough to lift Italy, but Las Ticas will play for pride in their last group game on Saturday vs. Zambia, also winless. Zambia lost 4-0 to Venezuela in Group A’s other match on Tuesday. Gabriela Garcia scored a second-half hat trick and Deyna Castellanos opened the scoring in the 14th minute (click here for highlights).
But the big results of the night came in the top-heavy Group B, where Ghana booked a spot in the next round with a 1-0 win over Germany and Canada tied North Korea to leave the second spot in Group B wide open.
Gladys Amfobea scored in the 43rd minute for Ghana, leaving Germany stuck on one point (click here for highlights). North Korea also has a point and Canada currently sit second with two points after a late equalizer against Korea DPR. Sung Hyang Sim gave North Korea the lead in the 54th minute, but a Kim Jong Sim own goal in the 86th minute tied the game up for Canada (click here for highlights).
On Wednesday, New Zealand takes on Spain and Paraguay faces Japan in Group C, while Group D matches feature Nigeria against Mexico and Colombia vs. China.
